The Art of Subversion
The opening line of my Advent reading this morning: “In poetry we can do things not permitted by logic or reason.”
Yep. With everything in me I offer a hearty… Giddy up!
So let’s walk with the ancient poet, Isaiah, as he speaks of such things: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion will feed together; and a little child will lead them.”
What? That’s not logical or rational. That’s simply not… realistic, correct? The poet takes the frame of what is the present way of being, and he announces that there is an alternative way. And this alternative way will one day be the way, for forever days.
The poet will call his people to begin living into this new way, today. Because this is living the eternal in the now.
Which is stunning… and incredibly dangerous. The current system can’t have you and me stepping off the conveyor belt, so if you were to announce that you are going to walk, then you best prepare for the system to flex. When Isaiah says a little child will lead, that just doesn’t line up logically. Silly poet. The big brass, barrel chested, and boastful wins. The fattest wallet and the strongest military wins. What world are you living in poet? I suppose you are going to call us to forge weapons into farm tools? (Side note, he does. It’s Isaiah 2:4).
Fascinating. The art is about subverting empire. This is where the story is heading… and where it has been heading since the ancient of days. That’s beautiful and powerful, and it seems radically… relevant.
Exactly. Because we have told our kids that bullying is not ok, and we have put programs in place to minimize and hopefully remove bullying at schools. And then we elect a bully for the highest position in our country, and excuse it by saying… well, that’s just how you get things done. Is it? And if that’s how things are done in this system, then maybe the system needs to be subverted. Because otherwise…
Hey kids, kindness and love and sharing and serving and compassion and generosity… for you but not us.
Maybe this is why a child will lead this alternative, eternal Way.
For those that want to object by talking about, complaining about, or yelling about the other side, I am not at all interested in talking about bi-partisan politics. I find it boring, insipid, and a significant part of the problem.
Advent is anticipating a Jesus who says the first will be last and the last first. Jesus says love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Jesus says blessed are the merciful.
The religious institution slips into bed with the Roman Empire and they kill Jesus for living and speaking Isaiah’s poetry into being. Jesus is the flesh and blood realization of Isaiah’s poetry.
Jesus is the incarnation of art.
Advent isn’t about waiting for Jesus to show up and take our side. This season is about us waking up to the reality that the Divine is in this place, and I was not aware of it… until now. So we will meditate on the poet’s words and prepare our hearts to join the side of the Divine.
You are here, may we be here with You… and for You. Amen.